GuyWhoWritesDefinitions's definitions
A theory that says reality from matter to minds to memes evolves through repeated cycles of compression. Each layer condenses the previous one, creating shortcuts, symbols, and versions of versions. Consciousness shows up when something can compress itself while modeling the world.
“TikTok shows the recursive compression theory in action: a 10-minute idea crushed into 20 seconds that spawns another remix that spawns another trend.”
by GuyWhoWritesDefinitions November 5, 2025
Get the RECURSIVE COMPRESSION THEORY mug.The subtle feeling that the world around you is slightly fake, off, or slipping out of sync. A cultural vertigo caused by algorithms, endless feeds, and manufactured experiences that blur the line between what’s authentic and what’s engineered.
Scrolling through TikTok at 2 a.m. and realizing every trend feels staged gave me major reality drift.
by GuyWhoWritesDefinitions September 2, 2025
Get the Reality Drift mug.When trying to improve everything actually makes life worse. The endless tweaking, tracking, and hacking that leaves you more stressed than before. Productivity apps, fitness gadgets, even parenting advice—sometimes “optimizing” just optimizes the anxiety.
I bought five different apps to manage my schedule, and now I don’t have time to do anything. Classic optimization trap.
by GuyWhoWritesDefinitions September 4, 2025
Get the Optimization Trap mug.How well a message preserves its core meaning as it moves through filters, algorithms, translations, or people. High fidelity means the intent survives. Low fidelity means the words still look right but the meaning has drifted.
“I told him I needed support, and he sent me a link to a productivity hack. Zero semantic fidelity.”
by GuyWhoWritesDefinitions November 5, 2025
Get the SEMANTIC FIDELITY mug.When something looks and feels real enough to pass… but you know deep down it’s manufactured. Can apply to AI influencers, staged “candid” photos, or that brand new dive bar that spent millions to look old and grimy.
My office has a 'fun zone' with bean bags and foosball. It’s all synthetic realness to distract from the 12-hour workdays.
by GuyWhoWritesDefinitions September 2, 2025
Get the Synthetic Realness mug.When words stop meaning what they used to. Over time, phrases get watered down, co-opted, or twisted until they lose their original punch. Think “literally,” “authentic,” or “disruption.”
by GuyWhoWritesDefinitions September 4, 2025
Get the Semantic Drift mug.The feeling that everything in culture is starting to look and sound the same. Movies, memes, brands, even people online are flattened into the same vibe by algorithms and mass production.
by GuyWhoWritesDefinitions September 4, 2025
Get the The Great Flattening mug.